The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Pop 3 Plus and the Realme C25Y aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Realme C25Y boasting a more modern chipset and faster charging, while the Tecno Pop 3 Plus focuses on simplicity and affordability. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C25Y is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T610 chipset, featuring eight cores compared to the Tecno’s four, delivers significantly better performance for multitasking and app responsiveness. The 18W charging is a substantial advantage, mitigating the impact of its relatively modest battery capacity. While the Tecno Pop 3 Plus is cheaper, the performance trade-off is too significant for all but the most basic users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.56 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180.5 g (6.38 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Vacation Blue, Hillier Purple | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | - | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | - | About 140 EUR |
Tecno Pop 3 Plus
- Lowest possible price point
- Simple and easy to use
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Likely limited software support
- Potentially lower camera quality
Realme C25Y
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 18W fast charging
- More capable chipset for multitasking
- Slightly higher price
- Battery capacity not specified
- May still lack advanced features
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display features. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are not provided, but given the price bracket, IPS is likely on the Realme C25Y. The Realme C25Y’s advantage lies in its potential for slightly better color reproduction and viewing angles due to the more modern chipset’s image processing capabilities. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, and neither is expected to feature high brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both devices feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Realme C25Y likely benefits from the more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Unisoc T610, potentially leading to better image processing and slightly improved image quality in good lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors in this segment suggests both phones will likely include them, but their utility is limited. Focusing on the main sensor’s quality (which is unspecified) is crucial, and the Realme C25Y’s chipset suggests a more refined image processing pipeline.
Performance
The Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 is the clear winner here. Its octa-core configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a substantial performance uplift over the Tecno Pop 3 Plus’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T610 are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural advantage of the T610 is undeniable. The Realme C25Y will handle more demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Realme C25Y’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage. Faster charging reduces downtime and provides greater convenience. While a larger battery capacity on the Tecno Pop 3 Plus might offer longer overall battery life, the ability to quickly top up the Realme C25Y’s battery mitigates any potential capacity difference. The 18W charging will allow users to get a substantial charge in a short amount of time, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 3 Plus if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to calls, texts, and very light app use. It's a functional device for first-time smartphone owners or as a backup phone. Buy the Realme C25Y if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of quicker charging. It’s the better option for anyone who uses social media, streams videos, or plays casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C25Y handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T610 chipset in the Realme C25Y is more than capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly, even with multiple apps open simultaneously. The eight cores provide ample processing power for everyday tasks.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Realme C25Y a significant improvement over standard charging?
Absolutely. 18W charging will drastically reduce the time it takes to charge the Realme C25Y compared to a standard 5W or 10W charger. You can expect to gain a substantial percentage of battery life in just 30 minutes of charging.
❓ Can the Tecno Pop 3 Plus handle basic mobile gaming?
The Tecno Pop 3 Plus can handle very basic mobile games, but expect limited performance and potential lag in more demanding titles. The Helio A22 chipset is primarily designed for essential smartphone functions, not gaming.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on each device?
Software update support is typically limited on devices in this price range. While Realme generally offers better software support than Tecno, don't expect major Android version updates on either device beyond the initial version they ship with.
